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Protect your data from workfare providers

Just because the Con-Dem government forced you onto The Work Programme, they cannot legally force you to give your personal information to providers like A4e. In 2010 an A4e laptop containing the personal details of 24,000 Community Legal Advice Centre clients in Hull and Leicester was stolen in a burglary. The personal details included names, addresses, and information about alleged criminal activity and whether the client had been a victim of violence.

During Work Programme induction, A4e will give you a Information Disclosure form to fill-in. This form should clearly state that your consent to giving them your personal information is voluntary – and you may withdraw that consent at any time. And, more importantly, refusal to fill in the form will NOT affect any benefits you are receiving.

It has been speculated that if we do not consent for our information to be shared then the workfare providers will not be able to claim any cash when we do find work!

Thanks very much to Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty for sharing this leaflet about protecting our data to give to people facing the Work Programme. You may like to add your local campaign contact details and give this out at A4E, Ingeus, Working Links or another workfare provider in your area: Leaflet for protecting your data from workfare providers

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